A proposal to give Arkansas constables the ability to access the state's crime information system received the approval of a legislative committee Tuesday.

The Arkansas Senate's State Agencies and Governmental Affairs Committee gave the proposal, Senate Bill 49, a "Do Pass" recommendation Monday. If it passes the full Senate, the bill will be referred to the State House of Representatives for consideration there.

The bill would allow constables the ability to run criminal background checks on individuals they come into contact with as a part of their duties.

Constable Greg Standridge of Russellville's Illinois Township, a board member of the Arkansas Constables Association, was in Little Rock Tuesday to support the bill. He said he was encouraged by what he saw from the senatorial committee and ultimately expects passage by the entire Senate.

"Right now, it looks like we have good support," said Standridge, an insurance agent in Russellville. "In the past, several sheriffs have been against the plan, but we're seeing more support from that group this time around."

Standridge said the bill is supported by State Sen. Sharon Trusty, R-Russellville, and Pope County Sheriff Jay Winters. He said only one sheriff attended the committee meeting Tuesday to speak against the plan.

The bill, proposed by Sen. Steve Faris, D-Malvern, would give constables access to the ACIC only in the performance of their duties as a law enforcement officer. The committee voted 7-1 for the passage of the bill.

Under Faris' plan, a constable would only be able to qualify for access if he or she completed 120 hours of certified training in the Law Enforcement Part-time II class from the Arkansas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training or an equivalent program approved by the commission. Constables must also complete a four-hour ACIC training program to be eligible for the ACIC access.

Also, ACIC officials would monitor the usage by constables to ensure violations of terminal access policies weren't taking place, according to the bill.

Standridge said he expected fewer than 25 percent of the state's constables to actually complete the training to become eligible for the program. He said the additional requirements placed on the constables was a major reason for the bill's passage, while the committee has failed to adopt the proposal in the past without the additional requirements.

"The biggest reason we need this is for our safety and for the public's safety," Standridge said. "It helps us know what we're dealing with, especially when we run someone's (license plate) tag and find out they have a warrant."

Constables are elected and have the same arrest powers within their townships as county sheriffs, Standridge said. Constables in Pope County do not receive payment for their duties.